Overview
- Manager Martin O’Neill said he expects to assess the right back in a closed-door friendly before the Scottish Cup semi-final against St. Mirren.
- Johnston has not played since October after a hamstring tear that required surgery in November.
- He said the procedure involved a major nerve, which left lingering tingling and prompted changes to his running stride under a full-time physio.
- Celtic are third in the league, three points off Hearts and two off Rangers, so a late return could aid both the title push and the cup bid.
- The Canada international said he felt he let former boss Wilfried Nancy down by being unavailable during the coach’s 33-day spell that ended with six losses in eight games.